In 1928, the Franciscan Friars purchased the sprawling property that would later become the home of the Shrine of St. Anthony on the outskirts of Ellicott City for $436,000. Today, it is known for its Italian Renaissance architecture, rolling hills and more than 200 acres of greenery and woodlands.

On Aug. 25, however, the Friars will open the doors of the Shrine to Maryland craft beer lovers and local foodies, for Revive!, a high-end beer and food pairing event.

“We were delighted that they were open to having an event like this there,” said Kelly Dudek, director of strategy for Grow and Fortify, which represents the executive leadership of the Brewers Association of Maryland. “I even said we would love for the friars to come and join us, and they laughed at me and said, ‘If there's food and beer, there will be friars.’ ”

The event will showcase unlimited samplings of 16 pairings between the 2017 gold medal-winning breweries of the Maryland Comptroller’s Cup — the highest honor a Maryland craft brewery can receive — and top chefs and restaurants from across the state.

Eric Gleason, head brewer of Barley and Hops, is one such winner from 2017. Specifically in the spiced beer category. But instead of simply bringing his winning beer, Gleason opted to brew something new and exclusive for the event — a Thai lager, featuring lemongrass, ginger and Thai chili peppers.

White Oak Tavern in Ellicott City have created special dumplings to pair with the Thai-inspired brew. The dumplings are filled with shrimp, cabbage, carrots, scallions and Thai basil, which will be served in a lemongrass coconut milk sauce.

Evolution Craft Brewing, which took home last year’s coveted “Best in Show” prize of the Comptroller’s Cup for their Fall Migration — a Chardonnay barrel-aged Belgian-style ale — will be featured in the Shrine’s library, which is lined with two stories of floor-to-ceiling books. Their pairing partner is The High Spot.

As attendees enjoy their award-winning beers and bites, and explore the Shrine and its surrounding grounds, they’ll be treated to the eclectic sounds of local band the Plate Scrapers, whose bluegrass stylings also features influences of jazz, rock and funk.

The name Revive! is purposeful, Dudek explained.

On a blistering hot summer day, there’s no satisfaction like a cold beer (for of-age consumers, of course). With scorching temperatures hitting all parts of Maryland lately, these local brewers are releasing new beers to cool down, from sessionable sours to hazy, New England-style India pale ales. Here’s a look at some new brews hitting area bars, stores and taprooms this season.

(Wesley Case | The Baltimore Sun)

“Once upon a time, there were hundreds of breweries in Maryland. (Following Prohibition) we saw a decline for quite awhile. Now, we feel like we’re in the midst of a resurgence — that’s where the name came from. We wanted to not only revive the industry, but also people’s perceptions of what Maryland beer is.”

“Not only is (Maryland beer) pouring money into your local economy,” Dudek continued. “But we’ve seen instances where a craft brewery is revitalizing a main street or a downtown area. Think of RAR Brewing in Cambridge. There are a lot of these places where there wasn’t much happening there. Then, you put in a brewery, and all of a sudden the town feels a little bit proud of what’s happening there.”

The hope is to empower others to connect the dots between beer — an agriculturally driven product — the jobs they create and what they do for their communities.

Revive! provides a unique and memorable opportunity for beer and food lovers to enjoy award-winning beers and expertly-paired dishes in a dazzling space, with the knowledge that they are supporting Maryland brewers, local farmers and their communities.

As an extension of that mission, a portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Ellicott City Partnership, to assist in recovery efforts from the devastating flooding that occurred earlier this year.

“You know, knocking one back on the porch, mowing the lawn … that's a lot of what people conjure up when they're thinking about drinking beer — which is perfectly fine,” Dudek said.

“But there's another side to beer, too. There is refinement and creativity. There is craft in Maryland craft beer, and it's very easy to forget about that part. But, if we show the elevation of it compared to an equally creative cuisine next to it, (we can) really open peoples' minds to what Maryland craft beer is.”

Winners from the 2018 Maryland Comptroller’s Cup will also be announced during the Revive! festivities.

Revive! takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 25. Tickets are extremely limited due to the boutique nature of this event and are available for sale at www.foodbeerrevive.com.

CAPTION

David's at Live! Casino Hotel is featured in the Dining Out review.

David's at Live! Casino Hotel is featured in the Dining Out review.

CAPTION

David's at Live! Casino Hotel is featured in the Dining Out review.

David's at Live! Casino Hotel is featured in the Dining Out review.

CAPTION

The Blackwall Barn & Lodge recently opened in Gambrills and is featured in the Dining Out review.

The Blackwall Barn & Lodge recently opened in Gambrills and is featured in the Dining Out review.

CAPTION

Little Spice Thai Cuisine in Hanover is featured in the Dining Out review.

Little Spice Thai Cuisine in Hanover is featured in the Dining Out review.

CAPTION

The French restaurant Les Folies, in Annapolis, is featured in the Dining Out review.

The French restaurant Les Folies, in Annapolis, is featured in the Dining Out review.

CAPTION

Phubs Vietnamese Pho + Subs, in Hanover, is featured in the Dining Out review.

Phubs Vietnamese Pho + Subs, in Hanover, is featured in the Dining Out review.

Liz Murphy lives in Annapolis with her husband, Patrick, and their two lazy dogs, Horatio and Nugget. She runs her own Annapolis-based beer blog, Naptown Pint. You can reach her at liz@naptownpint.com.